#1 Geography Basics Flashcards
Distortion
Results when a the earth is displayed on a two dimensional map. Distance, area, shape and direction cannot all be displayed accurately.
Dot map
Map that shows the distribution of a phenomenon in the form of dots that represent a number of the phenomenon being displayed.
Choropleth map
a map that uses differences in shading, coloring, or the placing of symbols within predefined areas to indicate the average values of a property or quantity in those areas.
Cartogram
Map that increases or decreases the size of areas based upon the value of a described phenomenon.
Thematic map
Map that shows a specific phenomenon to help understand it.
Reference map
Map that is used to show the location of places, landforms and cities.
Geographic Information Systems (GIS)
A computer system that stores, organizes, analyzes, and displays geographic information.
Global Positioning System (GPS)
A system that uses satellite data to show the position of something or someone on the earth’s surface.
Absolute location
The precise point of something on the earth’s surface as found by a coordinate or mathematical system.
Relative Location
Knowing where one thing is in relation to another.
Distance decay
The idea that interactions between places decrease with increased distance.
Space-Time-Compression
The idea that interactions between far apart places have increased because of improved technology
Environmental determinism
The concept that the environment and natural conditions solely control what humans do in a place.
Possibilism
The idea that the environment sets some constraints on humans, but that humans can adapt and overcome natural conditions.
Scales of analysis
The level at which a phenomenon is being studied and analyzed including local, national, regional and global scales.
Formal region
An area of the earth with distinct boundaries based upon data, or law.
Vernacular (perceptual) region
An area that is defined based upon the way people speak and communicate or the attitudes of a place. The definition of this type of region can shift depending on the person defining it.
Functional (nodal) region
An area of the earth that is centered on a central point that exerts its influence on the area surrounding it.
Mercator Projection
Map created in the 1400’s used to navigate. area and distance are distorted, while shape and direction are accurate.
Robinson Projection
This map has no fully accurate aspects but seems “right” It was used in textbooks for years as a reference map.
Peters Projection
This map is used to create an equal area map that elongates the shapes of continents. It is used to convey more equal status of countries because it does not inflate the size of areas near the poles.
